flashburn

Mostly a bunch of extras doesn't count. They've killed off what, two or three important characters? Meh. It's ridiculous that the Swede is still around at this point.

Glad to see Elam back though, and hopefully the next episode reunites him and Bohannon. The show really needs him at this point, so I'm actually glad they didn't kill him off.

PhantomStranger

No, more like the other way around. She was a popular character and they killed her off when they've kept around more expensive actors like the Swede. Anson Mount must have wanted her off the show. He has an actual producer credit on this series, it's likely he is calling all shots on casting and storylines.

uteotw

Yeah, I thought it was horrible. Just weird and not all that compelling.

van der graaf

Heh. I dug it

Orbi-Wan Techno

We loved this Elam episode.

TGM

are you Borg?

PhantomStranger

I kind of ducked the issue, but I was not a fan of this episode. This felt like zombie Elam and was much too ambitious for a show of this type to pull off. People are looking for a little Western escapism with Hell on Wheels, not a blatant Emmy grab.

RocShemp

Anyone that says that Hell On Wheels is afraid to kill off characters hasn't watched the past 3 seasons or tonight's episode.

darkdaze73

Wow! I did not see that coming. To bring him back for 2 episodes only to kill him off is somewhat shocking.

lvbob

This show would be a lot better if they weren't afraid to kill off characters

lol

RocShemp

Although I am disappointed with Elam's passing, I enjoyed this episode.

PhantomStranger

The death was not unexpected, though Bohannon dragging the fight out felt unrealistic. Elam died when that bear got him, he was a shell of his former self. So I assume that Durant's niece will tell someone he killed that man? There was no other reason to bring her into that scene.

TGM

good episode, but I miss the days where Bohannon and Elam were a Western Batman and Robin. I really thought that's where the future of this show was heading.

Did Common want to leave?

EDIT: answered my own question, the answer is yes. http://deadline.com/2014/09/hell-on-...-4-amc-831440/

RocShemp

It's a shame Common wanted out. He was one of the best parts of this show. I wonder if they'll increase Dohn Norwood's screen time as a result. He and Anson Mount have very good onscreen chemistry.

darkdaze73

I was wondering how Common was going to balance his music and acting career when I heard he was back to touring a couple of months ago. Another really good episode despite the sorrowful ending.

flashburn

Bummer that he was killed off because he wanted off the show. I'm sure the writers had different plans for him. Bohanan and Elam's relationship was the best thing about this show. Having said that, I thought it was a remarkable episode, one of the best.

It'll be interesting to see how many more seasons this show gets. I really feel like they should just wrap everything up this season, especially since this season is 13 episodes.

flashburn

Yeah, you're right, I've never watched this show, I just comment on it on DVDTalk. As was already mentioned, they killed off his character because he wanted off the show. Also, it isn't the number of deaths that matters its the importance of the characters that are killed. I think this show has always struggled to have more than a few interesting and important characters, and I'll stand by what I originally said.

RocShemp

So Lily Bell and Sean McGinnes weren't important? Hell, even Reverend Nathaniel Cole was an important death since he had a great influence on Bohannon. He was what started Bohannon's turn away from hunting down his wife and son's killers and finding a different path in life. And Sean's death was a major turning point for Mickey. Lily Bell was important to both Durant and Bohannon but she was also the face of the railroad expansion.

The show has definitely killed characters of importance.

PhantomStranger

I get the feeling that characters get killed off when their contracts become too expensive.

stopgap

I was concerned about last week's episode being dedicated to Elam. My suspicions were verified with this one. Looking back, there really was no room for Elam to be brought back anyway. IMO

uteotw

It felt obvious he was going to be killed off, but it still was well done. I'm just glad this show is still around AND it's still darn good.

Lifepawn

They should have just left him dead from the bear. Then he would have died as Elam Ferguson.

Gunde

I really liked Bohannon breaking down. Clearly a man who hasn't cried in a long time or allowed himself to confront his feelings. Powerful scene.

RocShemp

This episode was pretty slow but set things up nicely for next week.

VHS?

Still enjoying the series and hope it gets a few more. We have to see the railroad to the end!